Dense fog disrupts air, rail services in Valley

Dense fog across the Valley today disrupted air and rail services and lead to an accident on the Srinagar-Baramulla national highway.All flights to and from the Srinagar Airport were cancelled today, causing inconvenience to passengers.
“Due to heavy fog and low visibility, all 22 flights to and from the Srinagar Airport were cancelled today,” said a senior security official at the airport.
He said the first flight scheduled to arrive at the airport at 9 am could not land due to dense fog and low visibility. The last flight, scheduled to take off from the airport, could also not be operated.
As per the data provided by the airport authorities, IndiGo airlines was today scheduled to operate seven, Air India four, SpiceJet four, GoAir four and Jet Airways three flights at the Srinagar airport. However, all flights were cancelled or delayed due to fog.
Fog also lead to an accident on the Srinagar-Baramulla national highway near Mirgund village this morning. The mishap took place when a Chervolet Tavera laden with newspapers and travelling from Srinagar to north Kashmir collided with a truck head-on near Mirgund. The driver of Tavera, Mushtaq Bhat, a resident of Pulwama district, died instantly. Three other persons were injured in the accident. They were later admitted to a hospital in Srinagar.
Traffic jams were witnessed in many parts of the Valley due to dense fog and all morning trains running across Kashmir on the Banihal-Baramulla line were delayed.
“Apart from delays due to heavy fog, the speed of the trains was also reduced by nearly 50 per cent,” said a Railways official.
The Meteorological Department authorities, however, contributed the foggy weather to low night temperature across the Valley, adding that the condition is expected to improve by Tuesday.
“It is going to be cloudy tonight, which is expected to increase the night temperature. This may result in improved conditions tomorrow as far as foggy weather is considered,” said Sonam Lotus, Director, Indian Meteorological Department, Srinagar.
22 flights cancelled
* Due to heavy fog and low visibility, all 22 flights to and from the Srinagar Airport were cancelled on Monday
* Traffic jams were witnessed in many parts of the Valley due to dense fog and all morning trains running across Kashmir on the Banihal-Baramulla line were delayed
* The Meteorological Department authorities contributed the foggy weather to low night temperature across the Valley, adding that the condition is expected to improve by Tuesday